FILIP LEU - Part 1 BOOKS CLOSED Podcast

Legendary tattoo artist, Filip Leu, sits down to discuss what a lifetime of tattooing can do to a person, the lessons his tattooer parents, Felix and Loretta, gave him over the years, and how tattooing is getting too darn detailed.
Filmed at the Leu Family's Family Iron, Switzerland
More info about Filip: leufamilyiron.com
This episode's sponsors:
Tattoo Nectar (tattoonectar.com)
Black Dagger Books (blackdaggerbooks.com)
DOS-M (digitaltattoers.com)
Tattoo Dream (tattoodream.com)

[@Dragon_Ckb]

I just met him yesterday , it was snowing a lot outside after one hour drive from Lausanne i arrived to his place he was waiting for me at 1pm , offered me a coffee. It took 5 minutes to talk about the backpiece i want to have , an hour of deep perosnal conversation about life , Japan , family. The second hour Titine joined us , and Loretta we spent another 2 hours talking about everything and anything we even mentionned this interview you did with him. Loretta offered me her book with a dedication, ,man i spent 3 hours with the legendary Leu family i just felt home with friends incredibly amazing people. The guy is an incredibly legend. I'm looking forward to get the backpiece by him next year.

[@HeyitsMarioDiaz]

Fantastic. Your ability to sit back and listen, just allowing your guest to freely talk worked so well in this episode Andrew. Filip has so much great insight, I just want to applaud you for developing that skill.

[@andrewstortz]

Thanks so much! I was enjoying listening so much, I’m not sure I can say it was even deliberate. Glad you enjoyed the episode 🙌

[@baphemir]

This is such a pet peeve of mine in other podcasts ive listened to. Great point to bring up and I think it may explain one of the reasons I love Andrew’s work so much but just didn’t notice! This was a real treat to listen to, can’t wait for part two!

[@danhaley4465]

Completely agree… certain others just don’t stfu… great interview

[@ShadowInkfam]

Agreed fully. You let his thoughts breathe the years worth of insight and perspective into the video/ pod/ room and just shared your opinions when it was time to. This is also proof of why he shared these moments and experiences with you. Good shit bro

[@resistenzainutile]

The goat

[@andrewpequita6569]

Filip is one of the reasons I wanted to be a tattooer and I'm now in my 26th year. Im successful enough to not have many complaints about my place in all of this madness and I get to do a lot of larger work. Thank you for the influence Filip, You are someone ill forever look up to you.

[@WeekendAtRennies]

Same 🎯👆🏾

[@tattoostudioleitmotif4703]

I wanna push the like button on this video a million times!! Every tattoo artist in the world should watch this!!! One of my goals in my life as a tattooer is to meet him properly. I wanna say it's a goal rather than a dream, cause even though he is a tattoo legend, he seems to be "reachable" in his own ways😅 🤘🤘🤘 congrats!!!!

[@imsorryyouexperiencedthat]

I love listening to him, no wonder everybody respects him so much! Humble, talented, and extremely likeable

[@Andresuribee]

what a beautiful interview, the way he describes the perfect line at the very end of the video.. just amazing!! can't wait for part 2!

[@andrewstortz]

Part 2 is just as good. Thank you for watching!

[@zackg_13]

I could listen to Filip talk all day, this was truly amazing. Thank you for making this happen 🙏🙏🙏

[@donnydidit8450]

Dedicated well versed tattooist from when I started here, about the 5th time I’ve listened to this for inspiration. What a great position to be in one day when it’s earned to be able to, not just pick and chose, but to have made a place for yourself to be in the trade off back end of the hard work you’ve done to tattoo how you like. I love it. I’ll keep listening to this again and again.

[@andrewstortz]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@nihilistoner]

Thank you Filip for all of your contributions! We all appreciate you so much.

[@BDTPBO]

I watched this last night and when I slept I dreamt that my mentor showed up at my shop. He’s been gone a decade now. I built him a station and we finally got to work together as peers. Filip reminds me so much of him and I know he would have loved this episode. Tattooing is awesome.

[@andrewstortz]

Tattooing is the best

[@theartyoucanfeel]

last 10 seconds of this makes me sooooooo happy 🎉❤❤❤

[@marcoantoniomejiamedina8539]

That was very nice of Filip Leu to grant this channel an interview. I think the “tattooing made easy” went over like a plane. This is a man of respect who deserves the utmost respect. This man is tattooing in every sense of the word. Again, it was very kind of him to give you his time and space. Thank you Mr. Leu

[@sarahollis8417]

Thank you for this! I've already watched all the youtube content about Filip, so was so excited to see new content, and especially you interview him. Was a little bit shocked that he knows the goings on on the internet as well as he does, as he doesn't seem to use instagram or other socials. Thanks for the way you engaged with him as an interviewer, we got to hear Filip speak in a very genuine way. So excited for part 2!

[@mudkipzor]

I could listen to this interview all day every day, amazing

[@ariel.electric]

Your face through the entire interview is exactly the face i have while watching this episode like 😍❤️😍🌈🌱 i just can’t believe it’s finally filip leu episode!

[@andrewstortz]

I didn’t want to waste a second hearing my own voice

[@horichuy6254]

He said everything it had to be said. One more time he made me think on the changes I have to do to my career. Thank you for letting him talk and just sit like the rest of us and listen to one of the best .

[@toneking6555]

Fantastic! Thank you for this Andrew, such a treat to get a peek into Filip's world.

[@jodimaejayteethomas8507]

Ahhhhhh... i treasure the time i spent getting tattooed by Filip.. only 2 times though...first time was in Phily i think maybe 91? And then later in San Fran at Diamond Club which was an incredible experience!!! Soooo fun... the whole experience Filip described with Bill.... i have those tattoo memories etched in my skin... ✌🙏

[@paulapostolopoulos7064]

i watched this entire episode with a smile on my face.Thanks man!Must have been an experience for sure

[@Epmd419]

These interviews were excellent. What a great human being. Thank you for giving us this and happy you got to do it.

[@Dragon_Ckb]

Defintely one of the best podcasts i'v watched in 2023 , Thank you mate you created such an atmosphere that made Filip so comfortable to speak no need for questions. I have an appointement with by the end of this month i'm so excited to meet him up in person.

[@TheArtistConnection]

What an interview. Thank you for all the time and energy you put into bringing these videos with Filip to life. Can't wait for part 2!

[@user-bj7vc7ok8l]

Thank you so much for doing this. Filip Leu is a person most of the tattoo artists look up to, i can't wait for part 2.

[@Wattuptrey]

Ending was lovely! I felt that joy doing his outline. Thanks Filip! Thanks Andrew!

[@Mr.Perez22]

Man, loved this first part, what a great, interesting and relaxed conversation , can't wait for part 2 !

[@lucamamone6853]

Absolutely mind blowing. Best 3 hours ever.

[@charlysacler8908]

This is fantastic man! Truly appreciated. The quality of the video and sound and how well you manage to conduct the interview, relaxed and fluid . Had the joy to meet him and Titine back in the 2018 ILove Tattoo convention in Taiwan while working there. Truly humble and nice people. Every young tattooer as myself back then should be inspired by the attitude and their fantastic arts. Cheers buddy

[@Rachelandchrisholoha]

This is excellent, thank you for getting this interview done and sharing it with all of us.

[@christopherralphbianco4623]

I have two sleeves by Mike Ledger who was greatly influenced by Filip. Filip is a legend in the game and I hope to get something by him in the near future.

[@nights5956]

This was incredible! Of course. Filip is the best Tattooer I’ve ever met , with the most integrity ! Love you filip, titine & Loretta ! Blessings Freddy 🙏🏾✌🏽. Nice job Andrew

[@hands_on_lanzon]

So dope to hear him get so excited about the perfect line! Legend.

[@seanfernandez5735]

Filip simply Rules on so many levels....he gets in all ways of looking at tattooing...cheers sir👍🏼✌🏽

[@cpt8722]

This was great man! Very enjoyable listening to y’all, look forward to the 2nd part. Much love and respect to you both!

[@twiggysalinas95]

Thank You for making this happen, what a Wise Tattooer🙏🏽✨🤍 Filip Leu. Tattoo Legend🙏🏽

[@TheDave4584]

This is a good one! Both your calm personality types make for a good conversation

[@andrewstortz]

We’re CHILLIN’

[@Rite.of.Passage]

Beautiful! Thank you for putting this out there.

[@mfcrittenden2042]

This was so satisfying! Filip has been a major inspiration to me throughout my career. This got me thinking that I need to figure out a way to get to Switzerland before too much longer. I can’t wait for the next episode!

[@andrewstortz]

Do it!

[@danhaley4465]

That was honestly the best tattoo interview I’ve ever watched.. awesome

[@rachkershaw9707]

Thankyou so much for this wonderful interview with an absolute icon of the industry. I have been a fan of filip's art since I first saw it many years ago, he spoke so many truths in this interview and his approach is how ut should be. It baffles my mind that customers have the privilege to be tattooed by him but want arr that isn't his! If I was ever in that position to be tattooed by him I would just let him go wild with his amazing dragons and flow. Heavy black and grey all day, just like his ink paintings I am so thankful to have found this podcast you did a wonderful job in the production I look forward to seeing more! Much respect 🙏

[@modernprimitive_tattoo]

Wonderful interview..! Priceless anecdotes and tattoo philosophy

[@powerhamstertreefish]

thank you so much for putting this out!

[@Ori.Ana.Lightning]

Lovely to hear Maestro still Loving a perfect line with longevity and sound effects ♥️🐲♥️ Big Love n Blessus

[@Nomathomas2201]

You’re the man Andrew! Thanks for this!!

[@wilsonprod8974]

thank you both and the whole team around from botrh sides... all those precise things said this sharp plus the hint of humor to it... WOW... Bravissiomo.. thank you again.

[@donskawin6657]

HOLY DAMN. The fact you managed to pull this one out - KUDOS to you. Edit: I really appreciate you picking Filip's brain on topics like ignorant or playing devils advocate sometimes. And letting your guest talk for longer withouth interrupting is just a chef's kiss.

[@keithharstad5410]

Amazing, I truly appreciate your style of conducting interviews. Words can’t describe how good this is

[@andrewstortz]

That’s very nice! Thank you for watching

[@cysterling7549]

Amazing man, thank you so much for sharing this. I can’t imagine how it must’ve felt to conduct this interview.

[@nickfarbeyond]

Amazing interview and thoroughly insightful and enjoyable

[@MrDrucraig]

Thank you for this magical insight! ❤❤❤

[@liorcifer2767]

great interview. I tattoo for 29 years and agree %100 with the things he say.

[@user-xe9rn7kl5j]

What a wonderful interview!

[@DustinKiskaddon]

Great work as always, Andrew!

[@denniszeestraten]

Love this! So inspiring 🙏🏼

[@gerardomaza3949]

Thanks for this amazing episode......❤❤❤❤

[@maxwellblackmar784]

Thanks for making this, really amazing stuff.

[@saiazkizo1]

Thanks for sharing the tattoo perspective of someone so meaninful , wating for part 2 !!!! Regards from Chile!!!

[@xcharlie15]

This was excellent,thank you!

[@Manaelliott]

So far a great listen.

[@jeanramirez2500]

Increíble contenido. Gracias por tanto Filip.

[@justosedano6743]

You made it happen ! What an awesome interview !

[@sarumandoggo]

Thx so much for this, and subtitles god bless u

[@Hipos390]

Thanks for this man. No words 🖤

[@smarc1325]

Loretta called me a WorkingClass Hero 20Years ago... Filip inspired me long before.. thnx Leu Family.. Mark from the Heart..

[@andrewstortz]

🙌

[@brentonclark2103]

Hearing Filips thoughts on so many subjects is a blessing. To many breaks for sponsor stuff though.

[@andrewstortz]

Thanks for watching! Sponsors bring videos like this to you for free, isn’t that worth 5 of the 90 minutes here?

[@JAM4IT2]

Loved all of this….. ❤

[@joannalafayette277]

Aaah what an icon. This is amazing.

[@clairehartjoslyn5031]

Thank you for the knowledge!

[@mahieumahieu6398]

Awesome ,, I have his book amazing stuff

[@mikerivera8473]

Thank you for doing this for tattooing

[@Silentghos]

Thank you so much for this. Christmas has came early ❤

[@joeb3008]

Amazing interview thank you for this! What gents you guys are (:

[@DirtySk8RatStaney]

Yo homie, it’s super awesome to see you doing so well! It’s pretty inspiring to see someone from our little neck of the woods, making a living doing what you love, and traveling the world interacting with the heaviest hitters in the industry. Also congrats on owning your own shop, and I heard you got married! Life seems good, and I’m really stoked to see it…. Keep killing the game, and if I’m ever in New Hampshire I’ll try and look ya up, maybe try and get poked….

[@andrewstortz]

🤘 thanks buddy

[@steventorres7586]

New here… absolutely great stuff with an absolute legend. 🙏🙏🙏

[@itachigrey3204]

I dont comment on stuff normally. But just wanna say Andrew i think this podcast has a lot of value and i watch a lot of the old episodes over again. Must be very time consuming to put these together so thank you. 👍

[@PatrickCoste]

Well Done!! This s a great interview

[@stirlinggrayson1521]

I love this!

[@sziditattoo]

Great podcast!!!!! 🎉🎉🎉 he’s the real G

[@BetterTattooing]

Your voice and his monk-like energy made this a nice way to start the day. I think it must have been a nice segue by spending a day before jumping in. Going cold would have made me lose my shit and talk like an idiot. You’re a true pro. I really am enjoying these interviews as the show has progressed.

[@DojojiDuncan]

A fellow like no other, thankful to learn about Filip, and through Filip I discovered Shige. I wish to get a bodysuit by Shige. Both two wonderful Humans

[@martinhiliebrand5006]

Ive red thousands of books, ive drawn many cubic meters of paper, ive tattooed thousands of people in sixteens years, and after one hour and a half of Filip talking i want just to go back and restart my apprenticeship..

[@andrewstortz]

I know the feeling

[@MrMike4369]

Damn, what a banger episode!

[@DarenDeath]

This is amazing! Thank you Andrew and Filip. ❤It’s great to hear the perspective of this legend. I’ve been collecting for 30 + years! I will still dream of getting a dragon by Fil, although Grime put one on my back and I’m running low on space😂

[@user-ef9ev9ru5d]

This is so fantastic

[@tristan4460]

This is amazing 🔥👏

[@alistairfinlay2772]

Thank you Andrew I'm enjoying this podcast because I totally get & understand & agree with filip what he is saying, about the tattoo world as I'm from the old school too, I first getting professional great work from my friend in George Bone, in the eighties in London when tattoos were about a real meaning owning beautiful art on you from your artist, then I moved to the u s. & Met Tim Lehi through a friend , got some awesome amazing tattoos from him my big work was tattooed by him, I attended tattoo the earth I think early 2000s in Oakland I remember seeing filip there we looked at each other but it was like I could not speak as he has been one of my favourite artists as well as his father Felix, now I really wished I had spoken to him he was also doing that awesome collaboration on this guy's back I think with Paul both, I lived in San Francisco for 13 yrs getting tattooed by various famous artists from Jeff Whitehead, Tim Lehi , Chris conn , Bill salmon Freddy corbin , Hector fong many more I was blessed to see those wonderful yrs of San Francisco tattoo days then I moved to Boston I think in 2010, got tattooed by my friends out there, so I can really relate to filip, I'm 57 yrs old & a passionate collector also had a couple on my face in my punk yrs in the eighties but got them removed never want my face tattooed again i joked with Freddy when he was tattooed me saying freddy i had my face tattooed before you we both laughed, respect to filip & the Leu family sorry my comment is very long ☮️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👌

[@joaoroyo]

I was there in the shop getting my second or third session for my torso when he made this last portrait that he talks about for his long-time friend. He showed me the stencil and told me "look at this, what the hell is this! is so weird hahahah!". Realism stencils are weird indeed, and his was so clean, not a lot of details to make it look like a real photo, just a legit tattoo that is gonna heal amazing! Great show man, getting to know him was so amazing and inspiring for me that I hope you got the same vibes!

[@andrewstortz]

The vibes are strong over there

[@juliocesarpokrajacveloso4040]

“”❤the WIZARD!!! Thanks for everything Master Filip Leu!!!”” Tattoo is life

[@VA_Tat_Man]

This was an amazing interview I truly enjoyed it C/S

[@Zelenskyyyyyyyyy]

I’m so glad he quit smoking,needs to be around for at least 40 more years.

[@palmatrai1281]

Thank you 🙏🏼❤️✨

[@Spydeys]

very cool! 🙌🏻

[@rodrigo.gordo_ink]

👏👏👏👏🖤 Amazing!

[@childrenoftheabzu]

Finally, what Ive been saying for years. 99% of times Ive had my ass kicked I needed it and it led to self reflection. Maybe i shouldn't have been doing/saying what I was doing/saying. A major problem with the modern world, there is no real consequence for what you say behind a computer screen. There is to some extent but not like an immediate punch in the face for saying something ignorant. Those experiences were vital for my socialization.

[@OrdoAbChao506]

One of my favorite episodes. Glad your back andrew! Books closed probably my favorite tattoo related channel on youtube. Loads of meaning and points of view that truely give food to the soul. Aprecaite the work you do to put this out into the world. Please ignore people like the dildo below me concered with a question you asked, the world is clearly wasted on that should be abortion. Your Aprecaited andrew thanks you!

[@timothyalexander5338]

thank you!

[@raayy.ll332]

wow this is awesome!

[@andrewstortz]

Enjoy!

[@EMMETWORKSTattooArt]

Look son, a legend.

[@MrIanstu88]

Legend!!

[@derekwalter4238]

Yoooooo let's go!

[@genzedsdead6165]

The calm charisma of someone with nothing to prove, now just to get Fred Durst ticked off that bucket list....